"Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Scottish Executive's Cabinet.
(S2F-1819)
The First Minister (Mr Jack McConnell): Cabinet next week will, among other things, receive a progress report following this morning's debate on the children of asylum seekers. I join other colleagues in welcoming the pupils from Glasgow who were with us for that debate and who have an immediate concern in its content. I give them an absolute assurance that, while we believe in a fair, consistent and firm immigration system, which has to include deportation and removal in some cases, we also believe that it is very important, given our child welfare and education responsibilities here in Scotland, that such a system is handled appropriately. That is why we want to have a protocol with the Home Office that involves Scottish education services and social services before decisions on the implementation of any orders for removal."
After months of claiming that the Executive had no responsibility in this area, it is nice to see the First Minister doing the decent thing and agreeing to pursue the Home Office. But would it be excessively cynical to wonder why the Home Office would agree to operate differently in Scotland? Never mind: with a swish of his cape and a loud tada, the First Minister has jumped off the hook - at least for now.
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